Charlie Allison, Luc Benkenstein, and Noah Thain have all been named in a 13-player England Men Under-19s squad for this month’s two Youth Tests against Australia.
Allison is included after a breakout Metro Bank One Day Cup campaign that saw him post 254 runs at an average of 36.28 with a top score of 85.
Fellow 18-year-old Thain hit 159 runs at 39.75 with a best of 75* in the same competition alongside making his first-class debut against Ireland in May.
He also participated in England Under-19s’ recent Youth ODI series against Australia, contributing 84 runs with the bat and four wickets with the ball.
Thain was joined in that squad by Benkenstein, 19, who returned from injury midway through the Eagles’ recent One Day Cup campaign and has a List A bowling average of 17.90
The squad will be captained by Durham’s Ben McKinney, who also one of four players retained from the squad that drew 1-1 with Australia U19s in two Youth Tests during the winter.
McKinney’s fellow Durham team-mate Ross Whitfield and Hampshire duo Eddie Jack and Dominic Kelly were also part of the Test squad in Australia.
Young Lions Head Coach, Mike Yardy, said: “We are excited to play two competitive Under-19s Tests against Australia.
“After two high-quality games last winter in Australia, I expect the same, watching the best young players go head-to-head in red-ball cricket.”
England Men’s U19s Test squad:
Ben McKinney (Durham – captain)
Farhan Ahmed (Nottinghamshire)
Charlie Allison (Essex)
Luc Benkenstein (Essex)
Jack Carney (Lancashire)
Jaydn Denly (Kent)
Daniel Hogg (Durham)
Eddie Jack (Hampshire)
Dom Kelly (Hampshire)
Hamza Shaikh (Warwickshire)
Noah Thain (Essex)
Raphael Weatherall (Northamptonshire)
Ross Whitfield (Durham)
Youth Test Series v Australia U19s:
1st Youth Test: England U19s v Australia U19s, New Road, Worcester – 8-11 September
2nd Youth Test: England U19s v Australia U19s, County Ground, Northampton – 16-19 September
